4 Must-Try Restaurants in Council Bluffs, Iowa
In keeping with Council Bluffs, IA’s friendly, down-to-earth vibe, the area’s bars and restaurants are all about comfort with a side of amiability. Here is just a sample of the restaurants in Council Bluffs where warm, welcoming service collides with quality eats and beverages.
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Napoli’s Italian Restaurant
Downtown – specifically the historic stretch of West Broadway known as the 100 Block – is home to several locally owned restaurants and bars. One of the newest is Napoli’s Italian Restaurant, which set up shop in fall 2024 in a building that dates to 1917.
The moody space, with rustic exposed brick and concrete walls, has ambiance to spare. String lights hanging from the ceiling make for a romantic atmosphere, and the menu is chock-full of beloved classics, like lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo and veal piccata. The spot isn’t just perfect for a night out with your sweetie, though. It offers a killer weekday lunch special – 10 pasta dishes, including baked ziti and spaghetti with meatballs, ring in at just $7.95.
Barley’s
A few doors east of Napoli’s is Barley’s, a bar and grill that occupies an equally historic building (their long, narrow dining rooms seem to have once been mirror images of each other).
At nearly 25 years old, Barley’s is a Council Bluffs institution. Its solid selection of craft beers includes plenty of regional representation, such as beer from SingleSpeed, Toppling Goliath, Backpocket and Exile breweries in Iowa and Kros Strain and Infusion breweries in Nebraska. Barley’s bar menu offers appealing dishes like a signature burger, pickle chips and a Thai chicken pizza.
Doozie’s
Doozie’s is the ultimate family-friendly dining establishment. With a menu featuring burgers, sandwiches, ice cream cones and sundaes, kids of all ages can indulge their sweet tooth, while those with more savory-inclined palates can enjoy the Iowa-famous pork tenderloin sandwich. Its candy-colored dining room is equal parts diner and ice cream parlor, giving off a retro vibe that has wide appeal.
Full Fledged Brewing Co.
Just 10 minutes away on the western edge of Council Bluffs is Full Fledged Brewing Co., the city’s first craft brewery. With over 16 taps pouring everything from classic German hefeweizen and piney American IPA to cayenne-chocolate stout and pre-Prohibition-style Kentucky common, there’s a brew for everyone.
Plus, the space offers regular live music, plenty of board and card games, and events like music bingo, a chili cook-off and yoga. The industrial-chic taproom serves as a de facto living room for the area, and plenty of loyal customers even cross the Iowa-Nebraska state line (granted, it’s only 5 miles away) to patronize the spot.
Cellar 19 Wine & Deli
Wine lovers and east side denizens will want to stop in at Cellar 19 Wine & Deli for a broad selection of drinks and a bistro-style menu. As its name suggests, the spot offers 19 different wines by the glass to accompany its roster of sandwiches (cold and hot), soups, charcuterie boards and desserts.
Constantly rotating daily specials round out the offerings at this unpretentious, hospitable place that’s truly emblematic of the city’s overall dining scene.
Get To Know Council Bluffs
Learn more about working and living in Council Bluffs, IA, by visiting livability.com/council-bluffs.